Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Cheap backpacker hostels in London
Independents, chain hostels and women only hostels
Cheap backpacker hostels in London are numerous and spread right across London, though major clusters of backpacker hostels are found in budget accommodation areas of Bayswater, Kensington and London Bridge.
Backpacker dormitory rates are highly seasonal. Biggest demand is in the summer months when students are able to travel extensively. However unlike many hotels in London, there is no dramatic price difference between weekends and the working week. You pay more the closer you are to the centre of the city, though because of London's excellent public transport it is no real handicap staying a little way out.
If there are two or three of you, some of the cheap London bed and breakfast hotels can be similarly priced to a hostel dormitory.
What do you get in hostels in central London?
Many of the independent hostels have extras to the more traditional YHA hostels: mixed dormitories, party nights and free walking tours. All hostels generally have young, energetic staff, who can help with bookings and extra activities, trying to add value to the hostel experience.
Curfews are no longer common anywhere and most hostels now have 24-hour desks.
Most hostels have both mixed dormitories and female dormitories. Clearly most of the hostels here are aimed at the youth market. Many London hostels do not allow anyone under 18 to stay in a dormitory, a few have an upper age limit as well, typically 35.
There is also quite a wide divergence in what you get for the nightly dormitory rate. The majority provide linen and a locker (bring your own lock).
Some throw in breakfast, at others you pay for it, but it is generally very affordable. There is nearly always a bar for drinks and snacks.
Most hostels provide free Wi-Fi and laundry and cooking facilities, but there are exceptions.
Our selection of most popular hostels in London
Onefam Waterloo 18-36 years old 
Near the banks of the River Thames, this hostel for young backpackers and solo travellers between 18-36 offers a lively atmosphere as a social party hostel with free daily activities and evening events. Services include 24-hour front desk, free super-fast WiFi, free lockers, and free bed linen. Located in zone 1 and only 15 15-minute walk from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Facilities include • Free super-fast Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms • Luggage storage • Free activities
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Lambeth North
Onefam Notting Hill
Onefam Notting Hill is a social party hostel near Portobello Road Market and Royal Albert Hall. Designed for young backpackers (18-36 policy) and solo travellers, the accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, and free daily activities and evening events.
Facilities include • Accommodation for 18-36 only • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Terrace & garden • 24-hr front desk • Lockers • Laundry
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to Bayswater
PubLove @ The White Ferry, Victoria
PubLove @ The White Ferry, Victoria is a traditional English pub with dormitories and private triple rooms in Victoria. In the mornings, PubLove @ The White Ferry offers 25% off brunch from 9am until midday at the in-house award winning Burger Kitchen. You'll find The River Thames at the bottom of the same road!
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms • Outdoor space • Walking tours • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Happy hour • Bar • Restaurant
Nearest tube: 10-min walk to Victoria
Phoenix Hostel
An award-winning hostel, with Madame Tussauds and Paddington Railway Station just a 10-min walk away. You can enjoy the shared lounge and bar to relax in, and check in any time at the 24-hr front desk. Choose from a range of dorm sizes or pay more to get yourself a double room with shared bathroom. Overall, a friendly, relaxing choice for your affordable stay in London.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Cheap good breakfast • Tickets service • 24-hr front desk • Bar/ shared lounge • Happy hours • Walking tours
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Edgware Road
Safestay London Elephant & Castle
A 5-min walk from Elephant & Castle station and shopping centre. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the on-site bar. Laundry room, free luggage storage and library area. A continental breakfast is served in the bar lounge, as well as toasted sandwiches and snacks. A games room with pool table is also available to guests.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • 24-hr front desk • Lift • TV area • Laundry service • Activities • Male & female dorms • Bar
Nearest tube: 4-min walk to Elephant & Castle
Hostel London Kings Cross
Located very close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations. Secure luggage lockers available, communal area with a large TV, comfy sofas and a library of books and DVDs. Tickets and tours are available. The communal kitchen includes microwaves, fridges and kitchenware. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Shared kitchen • 24-hr front desk • TV area • Laundry service • Male & Female dorms • Private rooms • Bar • Entertainment • Terrace
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Kings Cross/St Pancras
PubLove @ The Steam Engine Waterloo
Only a 10-min walk from Waterloo Station, along a quiet side street. Lambeth North tube is even closer. Set above a traditional London pub featuring free Wi-Fi, free bed linen and a bar open 24-hrs a day. Breakfast is served every morning (extra cost). Guests can enjoy cable TV in the bar, free luggage storage, free walking tours and laundry facilities for a surcharge.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Restaurant • Parking • 24-hr front desk • Shared kitchen • Lift • Laundry • Activities • Mixed dorms • Bar • Garden
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to Lambeth North
Saint James Backpackers Earl's Court
A family-run hostel set in the heart of central London. Free Wi-Fi, two spacious dining areas, 24-hr reception and security. Individual lockers and towels for an additional price. Large communal lounge that features a 50" high definition TV. In the morning a full English breakfast is served free and dinner is also free in the evening. Rated as one of the best hostels in London 2017 by the Daily Telegraph.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Shared kitchen • Lockers • 24-hr front desk • TV area • Laundry service • Male & female dorms • Private rooms • Shared kitchen • Restaurant • Bar
Nearest overground: 4-min walk to Earl's Court
Publove @ the Greenman, Paddington
This award-winning hostel has its own traditional English pub, PubLove @ The Greenman, and is located right next door to Edgware Road tube, so fantastic access to central London. The on-site kitchen serves popular burger dishes. It is just a 15-min walk from London’s Hyde Park. Rooms are smartly designed featuring a shared bathroom, free Wi-Fi and in-room security lockers.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Bar/restaurant with discounts • Good breakfast • City view • 24-hr front desk • Outdoor furniture • Walking tours
Nearest tube: 1-min walk to Edgware Road
Publove @ the Exmouth Arms, Euston
Like its sister pub in Paddington, this is also an award-winning hostel set above a traditional London pub. The location is great - right next to Euston Station, also within a 15-min walk of St Pancras and the Eurostar Terminal, and Kings Cross. Guests can enjoy good burgers at the popular on-site burger kitchen, and even a discount on food at selected times.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Bar/restaurant with discounts • Good breakfast • City view • 24-hr front desk • Terrace • Walking tours
Nearest tube: 1-min walk to Edgware Road
Smart Hyde Park Inn Hostel
Set in a grand period building, just a 2-min walk from Bayswater tube station, this hostel has large dormitories with brght décor and original features. The common room is a brightly coloured space with comfortable seating and a flat-screen TV. There are plenty of shared bathroom facilities, and guests can use a hairdryer and ironing facilities. There is a spacious shared kitchen and 24-hour front desk. Continental breakfasts are served daily and can be included in the rate.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Outdoor seating • Vending machine - drinks & snacks • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Terrace • Laundry • Tickets desk
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Bayswater
Clink 261 Hostel
Clink261 is a modern hostel offering both dormitory rooms, private rooms, just a 2-min walk to St Pancras and King's Cross Stations. This welcoming hostel features a 24-hr reception, with friendly and knowledgeable staff,plus a well-equipped communal kitchen and lounge areas to relax and meet fellow travellers. A free walking tour leaves from the hostel every day, and guests have a personal key card to access their room and the front entrance.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or double rooms • Lockers • Laundry • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Walking tours • Tickets desk • Bar nearby
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Kings Cross/St Pancras
Smart Russell Square Hostel
This hostel is just a 10-min walk from King’s Cross Railway Station and the British Library. For convenience there is a supermarket and pubs right around the corner. Mixed-sex dorms come with linen and security lockers; there are shared and en-suite facilities depending on room type. As a guests you can enjoy 24-hr reception, no curfews or lock-out times. There is a common room with a large TV, and guests have use of shared kitchen facilities. A Continental breakfast is available each morning for a surcharge.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or twin rooms • Discounted tickets service • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Lockers • Laundry • Walking tours • Shared lounge
Nearest tube: 1-min walk to Russell Square
YHA London Central
In a top location, just a 6-min walk from Regent’s Park, 5 minutes from nearest tube and within 9 minutes of Oxford Street, this is a high-quality hostel offering comfort and convenience. It has its own café and bar with a range of breakfast and lunch choices for purchase, including croissants, paninis and pasties. There are also computers here for guests to use. There are shared bathroom facilities with showers, which in some dorms are en suite. Private rooms are also available.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms • Shared lounge • Bar • Tickets service • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Lockers • Laundry • Snack bar
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to Great Portland Street
Astor Victoria Hostel
A warm welcome greets you at this hostel for adults only, just a 10-min walk from Victoria train and bus station. Top London attractions are easily reached on foot - Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are a comfortable walk away. You can choose between private or dormitory style rooms with a free continental breakfast and clean bed linen. There is a shared kitchen and living rooms, plus safes, hairdryers and laundry facilities.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms • Shared lounge • Tickets service • Breakfast included • 24-hr front desk • Safes • Laundry • Vending machine
Nearest tube: 4-min walk to Pimlico
Generator Hostel
Enjoy a drink in the famous Generator Bar with special deals on meals and drinks every night. The Generator is in an excellent location, right in the heart of London, near Russell Square close to British Museum and walking distance to Leicester Square and Covent Garden. There's plenty of entertainment from free walking tours, to karaoke, a live DJ and free movies. The bar is open to 2am and has drink specials and happy hour every night. An excellent choice of hostel for those who want the best of the London scene.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms with shared bathrooms • Lounge and games room • Live music • Breakfast • 24-hr front desk • Safes • Laundry • Coffee house
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Russell Square
Safestay London Kensington Holland Park
Relax in this hostel in ambient surroudings of a Grade I listed building in West London. There is a large garden with pond and terrace to explore, with great connections with the nearest tube being just a 4-min walk away. For relaxing indoors there is a shared lounge and games room. The world famous Portobello Market and the Westfield London with its designer shops, places to eat and cinema can be reached in less than a 20-min walk.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms with shared bathrooms • Beautiful garden and terrace • Lounge and games room • 24-hr front desk • Bar • Laundry • Vending machine
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Russell Square
St Christopher's Inn Village - London Bridge
A fun, friendly hostel situated a 5-min walk from London Bridge tube station, this hostel features a roof terrace for relaxing, a bar and a restaurant. It also offers the UK's first private capsule rooms. St Christopher's Inn Village makes a real effort to entertain you with karaoke nights, fancy-dress parties, and music. There is easy access to many London’s attractions, bars, and restaurants. All guests receive a 25% discount in selected restaurants, and special offers on drinks.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Dorms or private rooms - some ensuite • Terrace • Lounge • 24-hr front desk • Bar & entertainment • Walking tours • Tickets service • Vending machine
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to London Bridge
